Work is shortly due to start on the second phase of the £32 million Exeter flood defence scheme - the scheme, a partnership between the Environment Agency, Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, will see construction activity around the city over the next 2 years.
The Environment Agency is working with contractor BMM to minimise disruption - construction work starts in the Countess Wear area of the city.
The Agency is encouraging those who live and work in Exeter to sign up to Exeter City Council’s email updates to find out what is happening and when.
Richard Cox for the Environment Agency said:
“This is fantastic news for the city. Inevitably this will cause some disruption but we hope people understand we need to carry out this work to reduce flood risk to people and properties in Exeter. We will be building the new flood defences in a way which minimises disruption to those living, working and visiting here.”
Investigation work is also being carried out at the Quay to check the precise location of utilities such as power cables and gas pipes. Construction work on new demountable flood defences will then start in November – avoiding the busy summer season.
Councillor Rachel Sutton, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for City Development, said:
“We’re pleased that the next phase of the Exeter flood defence scheme is about to start, which will protect over 3,000 properties within the city limits when complete. Working together, the Environment Agency, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council have developed plans so that the scheme can be built with minimal disruption to residents and local businesses.”
“Our council officers have been heavily involved with this next phase of the project to ensure the works are in keeping with the city. The success of partnership working has been seen within the first phase of the project which has provided a haven for people and wildlife within the Trew’s flood relief channel, whilst reducing flood risk to the Quay area.
Exeter City Council and Devon County Council each contributed £3 million to the scheme. £6 million has come from government growth funding and the remainder is being funded by flood defence grant in aid.
Phase 1 of the scheme got underway in 2014 and saw construction work just downstream of Exeter Quay. The Trew’s flood relief channel and the side spill weir at the top of the channel have been lowered. This increased the flow capacity of the flood relief channel, which will help reduce flood risk during high river flows. The check weir at the downstream end of the flood relief channel will be removed later in 2016 to increase flow capacity further.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.